How Can I Help a Doubting Christian?

Suppose a friend who has shown real evidence of being a true believer in Christ is seriously doubting the reality of their faith. What can you do to help?

• Don't try to give them assurance of their salvation based on YOUR WORDS. You do not even know their heart. God does. Don't try to be God. Too many are comfortable that they are truly saved and safe for Heaven because a preacher or counselor assured them, after signing the card or praying the prayer, that they are now God's child and their name is written in Heaven.
• Point them to the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Let them hear Jesus' words in John 3 and John 6. If they have savingly trusted Jesus, He will bring them assurance. But He does this through His Word (1John 5:12-13).
• Allow them to struggle. God does some of His greatest and deepest work as His children struggle through to faith in Him and His Word. It is not an unhealthy thing to examine ourselves to see whether we are the real thing (2Corinthians 13:5). Sincere doubts can and often do lead to strong faith.
• Point them to Jesus. Jesus and Jesus alone is the object of saving faith (John 3:16). Encourage them NOT to look at their faith. It is not strong or sincere faith that saves, it is the OBJECT of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, that saves. HE saves. They MUST believe, that is true. But they must believe in JESUS, and Jesus alone. Hold Him out as the one mighty to save and to save to the uttermost, Hebrews 7:25.
• Point them to the BIRTH MARKS of a true believer. Encourage them to a careful reading of 1John. The Gospel of John is written that we might believe and be saved. The Epistle of 1John is written that we might KNOW we are saved. Point them to: 1John 2:3; 2:10; 2:19; 2:22; 3:6; 3:23,24; 4:2; 4:6; 4:7; 4:15; 5:1; 5:12; 5:18. Are these things true of them in some measure? Direction is important here, not perfection. That is, have they been changing in these ways? Have they been fighting and overcoming some sin in their life? Do they believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Do they love other believers?
• Point them to the exceeding great and precious promises that are given to those who believe. Keep holding out to them such glorious promises as: John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:35,37,40; John 10:27-29; Acts 16:31; and Romans 10:9,10.
• Pray for them. Pray that their eyes might be opened to the truth. Pray that the Lord Jesus Christ as mighty to save will become their focus.
• Hang in there with them. Do not belittle their struggles with doubt. Do not tell them that they shouldn't doubt. Hold Jesus out to them. Express confidence that asking and seeking and knocking at Jesus' door will result in answers and assurance. Let them know that you love them and will be there for them. Invite them to call, come over, email, etc.

May you yourself be assured that you belong to Christ and are held with His eternal grip and may God use you to help others to the same place.